Usually I introduce my entries with a photograph that I have taken myself. Today though, I am entering an image from the website ChurchofJesusChrist.org. They downloaded this to invite us to think and worship Christ in a unique way during the seven days before Easter Sunday.
A prompt from Thursday, 17 April 2025, posed the question in the title of this entry. A common question I ponder reads : IF YOU KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO DIE TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TODAY?
This last week I have been caring for my husband, Brent, as he recovers from lower back surgery. They inserted two discs between his L4 and L5 vertebrae and then put in rods on either side with eight screws to hold them in place. Because he continues on his pain meds, he sleeps a lot of the time.
In the morning, while he is still sleeping, I have begun to take the opportunity to study the scriptures and listen to the talks from the April 2025 General Conference. I am reading The Book of Mormon; Another Witness of Jesus Christ usually a chapter a day. Again and again I am surprised by the new details and Gospel concepts I learn as I re-read the Book.
But, back to the question in the title. I don't think that I would change my days--writing letters to people I love, doing my best to continue my de-cluttering of the kitchen. Nathan loves being in this room--and clearing the counters to make it feel bigger and cleaner is one of my gestures of love for him. I would probably still water and nurture the plants that I have got scattered about the lanai porch and eastern face of the house. What I would change is the end of my days. I work to forget time as I sit with Nathan and Brent in the evenings--playing a game on my iPad.
I would make more of an effort to return to my Gospel study. My prayers, already as specific as I can make them, would start earlier in the evening. I would pray alone along with the 9PM Stake prayer I offer with Brent. Playing a hymn on the piano during the day would be one way to draw closer to the Lord.
I would look forward to the opportunity to finally meet Christ and Heavenly Father.
I know that the Gospel of Christ has been fully restored to the Earth at this time. I know that dear President Nelson is God's only Prophet on this Earth at this time with the Priesthood authority and keys to receive and communicate to the world the Lord's directions and revelations. I know that Brent and I are sealed for Eternity because our marriage was promised , if we prove ourselves worthy, in the Provo UT Temple by my Uncle Phil, under the power and endowment of the Priesthood. I know that my father, who baptized me, also holds the Higher Priesthood and administered over our family with love and heavenly inspiration.
Nathan and Brent hold the Melchizedek, or higher, Priesthood ordained by God, by one who had been called and set apart, by the laying on of hands. I know that they seek to use this power to serve and unite our family.
I know that God loves me and protects me every moment I am alive. He has given me talents that have allowed me to serve others. He gave me a mother who taught me to play the piano and the flute, and to sing harmony. She gave me the beginnings of my testimony. She created a home life where I felt safe and welcome. She taught me how to be a mother, how to nurture and teach my children so that they were able to gain testimonies of their own.
The Lord gave me a body with eyes, ears, legs and hands. I have been blessed to learn how to dance and to run and to climb trees--sing for and teach the Lord's children on Earth. I am still learning how to listen with compassion to my children, friends, Brent, and God.
I am grateful for Christ's Atonement which gives me the opportunity to repent and come before God clean and white.
There are no words to express my love for Christ and God.
"He gave me my life, my mind, my heart; I thank Him rev'rently for all His creations of which I'm a part. Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me."
(Church of Jesus Christ Children Sing,Words and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904–1997. © 1961 IRI. Arr. © 1989 IRI)
God loves me, protects me, encourages me, directs me, cherishes me--and is waiting for me to return to Him.
